Oceanside OKs water rate increase of 3%

OCEANSIDE — City Council approved a 3 percent increase to water and wastewater rates, following over a dozen community comments opposing rate hikes at the Nov. 19 meeting.
Higher rates mean a family that currently pays $62.88 a month for water will see an increase of just under $1.97, and a $56.28 wastewater bill will bump up an additional $1.83.

Speakers said they are frustrated that they work to conserve water, and still have higher monthly water bills, most topping $100.

“I reduce my utility water resources to the bare minimum,” Rodger Limon, Oceanside resident, said. “I have no yard to speak of. I go to the gym for hygiene water uses.”

Farmers also expressed concern that discounted agriculture water rates are set to run out in a year, and additional mandated water cutbacks would negatively impact crops.